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AN APOSTLE OF PEACE - LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI

The life of Lal Bahadur Shastri, India's second Prime Minister, who succeeded Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, is an absorbing saga of a little man, who while suffering the rigours of poverty rose to political eminence on the strength of his moral principles. When the cruel hands of cardiac arrest snatched him 38 years ago, on January 11, he was in Tashkent engaged in the battle for peace with Pakistan.

With the signing of the Tashkent treaty with the then President of Pakistan Ayub Khan with a nine-point declaration he was hailed as the "Apostle of Peace". When he died, he left no house, no land and no cash. But he did leave behind an example - morally inspiring the generations of mankind. In an age riddled with corruption and deep-rooted casteism his life of exemplary integrity is of great relevance for contemporary India as well the world.

Sharing his date of birth October 2 with the Father of the Nation Mahatama Gandhi Shastriji took an active part in the various satyagraha movements and was universally regarded as a model satyagrahi by both the leaders and volunteers. History accorded to him the role of a link between the old and the modern politics. As a result of this, Shastriji entered the Servants of the People Society of Lala Lajpat Rai and worked with dedication. He also played the role of a link within the Congress, helping to maintain on an even keel the relationship between venerable conservative leaders like Purushottamdas Tandon and Jawaharlal Nehru.

But Shastriji's humility was not to be mistaken for frailty. Courage and firmness, he possessed in abundance. It was in recognition of this quality that, after Independence, Shastriji was entrusted by Pt. Govind Vallabh Pant with the Police Department in U.P. Shastriji displayed a rare ability to maintain discipline without provoking any rancour. In the U.P Cabinet, he also handled the Transport portfolio and led the nation in road transport nationalization.

It did not take Nehru long to requisition Shastriji's services for the Government of India. Once in Delhi, he received from Prime Minister not only important portfolios but also the status reserved for chosen and trusted counsellors. The sympathy which Shastriji intuitively entertained for India's ordinary people was evident from his handling of the Railway Ministry. For the first time, third class compartments saw electric fans installed. Similarly, dining car facilities, Class II air-conditioning and passenger - safety arrangements were other innovations made under his stewardship. He also set an example for resigning as Railways Minister owning moral responsible for railway accident.

Although Shastri's tenure as Prime Minister lasted only eighteen months, it was a period of high excitement and drama. Under his leadership India successfully fought a major war against Pakistan. This came as a tremendous boost to India after the China debacle three years earlier. The Indo-Pak war was followed by successful peace negotiations between the two countries at the famous Tashkent Conference. On hearing the sad demise of Shastriji the then Indian Express Editor, Frank Moraes in an editorial said:

"The drama of Tashkent has been cruelly heightened by its tragic denouement. The sudden death of Shastri is a grievous loss to India for never were his qualities of patience and persistence, of flexibility and firmness, more needed than today. Following in the wake of the incandescent figure of Jawaharlal Nehru, Shastriji homely, homespun personality suffered by comparision in the early days of his prime ministership but with each successive month, as crisis followed crisis, he grew in confidence and strength until the last confrontation with Pakistan found him the country's Prime Minister in his own right. Tashkent added more than a cubit of his stature as a statesman. It revealed him as a diplomat of considerable finesse and skill.

Lal Bahadur has the wisdom which consists of commonsense in uncommon degree, and this he revealed in growing measure in the brief nineteen months of his prime ministership. In that period he faced calmly and with resolution more successive crisis than have come the way of most prime ministers. Foodgrain scarcity with rising prices posed the first menacing problem in his early days in office, and this was followed by growing tension in Kashmir, culminating in the detention of Sheikh Abdullah. Then came the Pakistani incursion in Kutch and attack on Kashmir accompanied by Communist China's increasingly minatory postures on northern frontier. Lal Bahadur had a rare capacity for remaining imperturbable but acutely vigilant through the most threatening times, and something of this calmness and confidence he was able to convey to his countrymen, more especially in the later months of his prime ministership."

The president, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan paying a tribute to him said, "Lal Bahadur Shastri's case is an illustration of the strength of democracy in India. From humble beginnings, without any advantage of birth, position or wealth, he rose to the highest position in the Government. It is due entirely to his force of character and integrity of life that enabled him to rise to the top."